Indian forces to go to all patrolling points in Depsang and eastward limit: Jaishankar

Manish Tewari asked Jaishankar if the 25 out of 65 patrolling points from Karakoram Pass to Chumar in Ladakh had become accessible after the disengagement with China.

EAM Jaishankar answered questions about Bangladesh, India-China disengagement in Lok Sabha on Friday. (Photo - Sansad TV)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Friday said in Lok Sabha that Indian security forces would be able to go to all patrolling points in Depsang and the “eastward limit” that has been there historically in that area, when asked if Indian forces can go to the patrolling points that had become inaccessible due to Chinese transgressions in 2020, and after the recent disengagement announced by the two countries.

Asking a supplementary question to his starred question on India’s neighbourhood first policy, Congress MP Manish Tewari said a senior IPS officer had presented a paper during the conference of DGPs and IGPS in January 2023 that said 25 out of 65 patrolling points from Karakoram Pass to Chumar in Ladakh had become “inaccessible” to Indian forces after Chinese transgressions. Tewari said the government had not denied this and asked Jaishankar if these 25 points had become accessible after the disengagement.

“What somebody wrote as a paper is for that somebody to answer for. I can answer for the government…I gave a very detailed statement on the disengagement and recent developments in the India-China border areas. In that statement, I highlighted that the last of the disengagement agreements had taken place which pertain to Depsang and Demchok. I also would like to convey to the honourable member that…the understanding envisages that Indian security forces would be going to all the patrolling points in Depsang and the eastward limit which has historically been in that part,” Jaishankar said, referring to his statement in Lok Sabha on December 3.

On October 21, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the disengagement agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas, “leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020 and we will be taking the next steps on this”.

In the House, Tewari asked the external affairs minister if “any neighbour of India’s that has an India-first policy,” citing examples of neighbouring countries’ ties with China and tensions with India, including the election of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu who campaigned on an “India out” plank.

Pointing towards the situation during the UPA government’s term, Jaishankar said the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka was built by the Chinese in 2008; Bangladesh supported “terrorism” till 2014; and Myanmar supported insurgent groups. “Our neighbours also have their politics. There are ups and downs in their countries. It will have some implication for us. But it is important, we are mature, and we don’t get into point-scoring,” Jaishankar said.

In response to a question from BJP MP Naveen Jindal, who asked about the steps taken to improve ties and increase trade with Pakistan, Jaishankar said it was for Pakistan to show a change in behaviour. “The ball is very much in Pakistan’s court,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

Answering another supplementary question from AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi about the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said the condition of minorities there was a “source of concern”.

“There have been multiple incidents of attacks on them. We have drawn our concern to their attention. Recently, the foreign secretary visited Dhaka, and this subject came up during his meeting. It is our expectation that, in its own interest, Bangladesh would take measures so that its minorities are safe,” Jaishankar said.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram